3D Printer - Prusa i3
Ever since I learned about the technology, 3D printing has been a hobby of mine. I constructed my printer from a Prusa i3 kit during my sophomore year of college and it has continued to be my favorite engineering tool. This printer was a fantastic introduction into the vast world of 3D printing. Because of this printer, my troubleshooting skills and knowledge of electromechanical systems continue to improve.
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One of the great features of this particular model is the easy customization and upgradability.​ The 8" x 8" print bed has glass and PEI layered on top of the heated bed to reduce, and nearly eliminate, bed adhesion issues. I've learned multiple ways to calibrate the X, Y, Z, and extruder motors and even added custom washers to improve the connection between the X-axis and belt rod. I've also added an X-axis belt tensioner to improve accuracy.
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In the future, I hope to add an additional cooling system to enhance bridging capabilities. This will hopefully reduce the amount of supports I need on trickier parts. I also have some more work to do with the wire management.
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I have also started the steps to add a web interface for my printer, either through Octoprint or Astroprint. To do this, I will be equipping it with and a Raspberry Pi and camera in order to remotely monitor and control the printer. This will give me more peace of mind when printing longer parts!
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I love my printer, and the opportunities it opens up to me. By owning and having the knowledge to operate a 3D printer, a whole world of opportunities is opened. The online community is incredibly supportive as well, and there are few things as satisfying as identifying a physical problem or challenge, modeling a solution, and sending it to the printer, all in the comfort of your home. There's nothing quite like discovering creative ways to solve challenges and create art!